Reply #: Dean takes jabs at GOP, Frist over Schiavo case

[RCPJAP]

Democratic National Committee chief, criticized Republicans in general Monday - and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in particular - for grandstanding on the Terri Schiavo case.

"For Sen. Frist to say he could make a diagnosis based on a videotape is
certainly not medically sound," said Dean, who, like Frist, is a
physician-politician. "I wouldn't want my doctor making any diagnosis of me on videotape."

Nick Smith, spokesman for Frist, said the Tennessee senator "in no way made a diagnosis.

In a speech Thursday to the Senate, Frist questioned Florida physicians' diagnosis that Schiavo is in "a persistent vegetative state."

"I question it based on a review of the video footage which I spent an hour or so looking at last night in my office," said Frist, going on to quote medical texts and standards.


Asked how he deals in Tennessee with the perception that he is a "liberal
Yankee elitist," Dean replied, "I actually don't believe there is a perception
like that.

"It's Republican propaganda," said Dean, adding that he was consistently
given an "A" rating by the National Rifle Association as Vermont governor and that
he shares Vice President Dick Cheney's views on gay marriage and civil
unions.

"If I'm liberal, so is he," said Dean.


http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_3640176,00.html